After reading guides for someone having trouble with fraud being committed and Paypal not protecting the seller, we wanted to give our helpful hints for sellers. Our hints should assist sellers in reducing risk of buyers saying they didn't receive something a seller has shipped. We have been selling on Ebay for almost 6 year. Despite selling on & off we make it a rule to always print shipping labels through Paypal. You do have to have a Paypal account and a printer, but by using this method for shipping... Delivery Confirmation is included. It's FREE with Priority Mail, Media & Parcel Post get you a reduced fee for Delivery Confirmation for less than 20 cents. User-friendly printed sheets are cut in half, using one half for attaching to package for shipping, and the other half for keeping as a record of the shipment. It has identifiable information such as Your Information, Customer Information, Shipping method, Delivery Confirmation #, dated shipped, Insurance, etc. This has been very helpful for us, and has kept problems at a minimum. It has even allowed us help when the Post Office mishandled a package or two. We also save copies of all emails, feedback between us and the buyer. The one time there was a little problem with a buyer we copied & pasted & forwarded them to Paypal with all the emails we had with the buyer, and our side of the story We also included the Delivery Confirmation #, etc. We were cleared of any wrong doing, and had no further problems. We suggest including the little bit of a fee in the total cost of shipping, and that way it's covered. This also works for buying as well. We always pay for Delivery Confirmation when buying as well. It just keeps people honest.
We recently heard of a seller whose buyer undoubtedly used scissors to open their package. In the process this buyer damaged a sealed uncirculated item. The buyer put in a claim to Paypal blaming it on the unknowing seller saying they sent a different item than the one they bid on. Please be aware that there are buyers not using common sense, so protect both yourself & an ignorant buyer...use caution in packaging that can not possibly allow damage by knives, scissors when people open in this type of way! This person seemed to have great feedback, and wouldn't normally seem to be a risk. Sellers be aware, and use caution in packaging to avoid risk of unintentional damage.
An update to our previous tip. We continue to advise sellers using their Paypal accts to print shipping labels, and if able request USPS pickup. Combining shipping pickups, so you can add the non pickup shipping items with packages that are picked up for FREE.
We recently sold an item, we requested pickup for this package, and included insurance which the buyer paid for. The item went to Brooklyn, NY and was reported as DELIVERED, but yet the woman reported she didn't receive it. Long story short...she did a claim through Paypal, and then her credit card co. I really am not sure what happened on her end, but I got my money returned.
All I know is, We are a seller in good standing, we used all the requirements of Paypal. We had the Proof of Shipment, Confirmation Request Pickup #, printed and shipped through Paypal, and Delivery Confirmation. You ask how do you have Proof of Shipment? Well, if you have used Priority Packages and other select shipping methods, your mail carrier will give you a Carrier Pickup Notification Form which lists how many packages of each type of shipping method as your proof! I also have started using Signature Confirmation when appropriate to assure no shenanigans. Hope some of this will help you in your selling adventures.
Best of selling.
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